Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare announced the launch of a $2.5 million campaign to create dedicated building space to meet the needs of those in the community who are facing the end of life. The not-for-profit hospice is repurposing an existing building adjacent to its campus to create the Center for Supportive Care for its Volunteer Services, Pathways of Hope℠ Grief Counseling Center, and Mobile Care Unit transportation hub and service and support.  

“Since 1982, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare has been privileged and honored to serve the community as its local, not-for-profit hospice,” said Kurt Holmes, executive director of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “As the population of Ohioans over the age of 65 continues to expand, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare is committed to meeting the needs of our community by supporting patients and families, and providing access to superior care and superior services.” 

The Center for Supportive Care will provide more individual and group counseling rooms for Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare’s Pathways of Hope program; a larger gathering space for training and seminars for both volunteers and the community; office space; and a transportation hub for the current Mobile Care unit and the expansion of this service.  

Community Bereavement 

The expanded space for bereavement support connects with the community’s need in coping with loss during normal times and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This space provides educational workshops, counseling and group support options through Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare’s Pathways of Hope program.  

“Through our Pathways of Hope program, bereavement counseling services are offered free of charge to the entire community, not just those who have used our hospice care services,” Holmes said. “Much of our community bereavement care involves families who have lost loved ones to addiction or suicide. Children and multi-generational families utilize our services especially when the loss is of a parent of young children. Grief can happen in so many ways. The past year taught us all that grief also arises from the living losses we feel when important networks are taken away.”   

Volunteer Services 

Volunteers play a vital role in the care of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare’s patients and their families. They support the staff in direct patient care, including caregiver respite, medication and supply delivery, patient visits, music therapy, assisted-animal therapy, Veteran support, administration support, grounds maintenance and more. 

“We’re grateful to the more than 200 volunteers who support our mission and provide critical support,” said Beki McCurdy, manager of volunteer services at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “The Center for Supportive Care will enable us to provide additional space for our volunteers. The flexible space in the center will accommodate more people than any other meeting room we have, and will allow our volunteer team to support our mission in new and enhanced ways.”  

Transportation Hub for Service and Support 

When the Center for Supportive Care is completed, it will include a new Mobile Care Unit garage and dedicated ambulette garage, providing much-needed transportation support with additional vehicles to expand availability of care. Often, hospice patients need to be transported between settings in order to receive care. This may be from the home to the hospice inpatient pavilion, from the hospital to a nursing facility, or to and from a doctor’s appointment. Transportation by an ambulance is most commonly required.  

“With generous community support, we purchased our Mobile Care Unit in 2019,” Holmes said. “This has made a difference in the lives of our patients and families. As we continue to serve an increasing number of patients in the surrounding communities, the need for patient transportation will increase.” 

Ways to Support This Campaign 

To support the $2.5 million campaign, members of the community can visit the Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare building campaign website at www.OhiosHospiceLifeCare.org/BuildingSupport and click on the donate button. They also can visit the or the Wayne County Community Foundation at www.WayneCountyCommunityFoundation.org and search for Hospice Center for Supportive Care.  

For more information about making a gift or to discuss naming opportunities, please contact Katherine Ritchie, major gift officer, at KRitchie@LifeCareHospice.org or 330.264.4899.

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, a not-for-profit organization established in 1982, is an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice that serves communities in Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina counties. It embodies the spirit of neighbors caring for neighbors with a commitment to relieve suffering, ease fears, and provide companionship along life’s last journey. Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare addresses patient and family needs wherever the patient calls home. Services also include access to the Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion, providing short-term patient care to manage acute symptoms, adjust medications, or stabilize patient condition.